A belated happy birthday to Michele Gismondi, who was born on June 11, 1931, and died on September 4, 2013.
The Italian rider is best remembered for standing on the podium of the 1959 in the World Championship Road Race, where he finished 2nd behind Andre Darrigade of France.
Other podium finishes included 3rd in the 1954 Giro dell’Emilia and Gran Premio Industria Belmonte Piceno, 2nd in the 1957 Giro di Campania, 2nd in the 1959 Coppa Bernocchi, Trofeo Baracchi and Trofeo Boldini, and 3rd in the 1959 GP Faema.
During his career, Gismondi rode for such notable teams as Bianchi – Pirelli, Torpado – Pirelli, Carpano – Coppi, Ghigi – Coppi, Tricofilina – Coppi, Equipe Tour de France Italie and Gazzola – winning numerous lesser-known races around Italy such as Belmonte Piceno/G.P. Industria, Imola and Coppa Agostoni, along with stage victories in the Corsa XX Settembre and the team time trial of the 1953 Giro d’Italia.
After a 9-year career, which ran from 1952 to 1961, Gismondi returned to his native town of Montegranaro, Italy – until his death at age 82.
Not much else is known about his life during the intervening years.
Buon compleanno Michele!
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